Motorcyclist who disappeared during late-night ride found dead off Highway 39 in San Gabriel Mountains

A motorcycle rider was found dead Monday off Highway 39 in the San Gabriel Mountains. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The body of motorcycle rider was recovered Tuesday morning off Highway 39 in the San Gabriel Mountains after he disappeared on a late-night ride with two friends, authorities said.

The 31-year-old rider, identified as a Los Angeles resident, was reported missing about 10:36 p.m. Monday. Two fellow riders told L.A. County deputies that they lost sight of him just above East Fork Road along the 27-mile highway, according to the Sheriff's Department.

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After riding to the north end of the highway above Crystal Lake and not finding him, the concerned cyclists notified authorities.

Deputies from the San Dimas station and members of the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team searched the highway without success.

Thick fog prevented the use of a search helicopter Monday evening, but one was launched the following morning. At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's helicopter spotted the crash site off the highway near Coldbrook Campground in the Angeles National Forest, where deputies on the ground found the rider's body and his 2014 BMW S1000RR motorcycle.

The California Highway Patrol said the rider left the roadway, hit a berm and was thrown from his motorcycle.